buickid

Aloha, posted this over at IH8MUD (long time member there) too, but figured it would get a wider audience here. Anyway, just bought a 86 4Runner. Body is pretty decent for being a Hawaii truck. My goal is to have a clean daily driver that can do some wheeling too but by no means a trail monster (we don't have much here on Oahu anyway). I'm trying to keep it pretty close to stock, but with subtle touches here and there to make it trail worthy. To that end, I'm trying to ID everything that the PO has done, so I can assess what direction to go in.

Anyway, looks like the PO changed a few things here and there, the first that I noticed being the giant lift shackles in the rear and the body lift. Since I'm only planning to run 31x10.5x15s, I don't think I need the 2" body lift, nor 3" worth of shackles (what I was told by the PO). The torsions will love me for turning them down a bit, as it appears that's all that was done to lift the front (and the CV boots show it).
With the limited space in Oahu, there are a lot of parking structures, so a massively tall truck isn't gonna cut it. Some Energy Suspension polyurethane body mount bushings will be on order shortly so I can replace them when I remove the body lift. Still debating which shackle to put in the rear, thinking about the Daystar 1" lift non-greasable. While the body lift is on, I'm gonna tackle the rust on the chassis and hit it with some Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer and some Rustoleum Flat Black.

After I brought it home, I noticed it didn't seem like 4WD was working. Locking the hubs and engaging 4WD and driving in a figure 8 didn't result in any driveline binding or tires skipping, so I took a look under the truck. With the passenger side hub locked and the transfer in 4WD, the driver side axle shaft can turn freely, meaning the axle shaft isnt engaging the differential for some reason. Perhaps a blown diff? In any case, an closer look revealed the following:


Well dayum, maybe that had something to do with it. Everyone says I should go SAS, but being a daily, I don't want/need the lift that comes with the SAS, and the budget is pretty tight at the moment. Gonna look for some used parts (front housing and 3rd member) and get it put back together with new CVs, and that should take care of the front drivetrain.

While poking around the front suspension, I noticed several things that didn't look stock. One was the upper control arm. I'm familiar with Toyotas having stamped steel arms, so this seemed out of place.

Anyone know who might have made this? I'd like to see how it is supposed to be installed, as the backside of the passenger side mount looks a little suspect. Here is a shot of the mounting brackets:

I guess the factory bushings wouldn't fit, so I'd need to order those from the arm manufacturer.

Also, the lower differential mounting bracket looks aftermarket, judging by how the factory hole is cut off. The upper diff mounts look newer than the rest of the frame as well, so I assume this is a diff drop bracket kit. Who might have made this? How were the stock brackets attached, so that I can revert to stock? I don't think I'll need a diff drop with the modest lift I'm planning, would just make it easier to hole the diff, again.



Thats all for now, I'll try to get a few pictures of the whole truck up tomorrow! Thanks in advanced for helping me ID these mystery parts. Stay tuned for more, I'll try to do a "build log" of sorts, even though historically I've been horrible with taking pictures (I forget until its all done)!

Aloha,
Trevor

buickid

Okay, did some research, looks like this UCA is part of a Rancho lift kit, which appears to be discontinued. From what I read, the kit came with at least the UCAs, add-a-leafs for the rear, and I would assume shocks. Is the diff drop part of that kit? Going to contact Rancho to see if they have the original parts list/installation guide.
Aloha,
Trevor

Toyota~Boy

iTrader: (2)

I've never seen anything made like that. Beats me bud

dswag

Sounds like a good find man! Lets see some pictures of it

buickid

I would imagine the diff drop came with the Rancho UCAs, it looks like the same type of finish, and looks like it was installed about the same time, judging by the level of dirt (highly scientific methods, I know haha).
I'll try to confirm with Rancho though, for future reference to all.

Thanks! I fail, I didn't get any pictures today, was out and about and got home after the sun went down. Good news though, stopped by my buddy's house. He plays with slammed 2WD Yota's, but a guy in his truck club does a lot of SAS for folks and has a bunch of the IFS parts lying around. Says he'll hook it up with some parts on the cheap! I think he said he even had a spare sway bar (mine seems to have disappeared at some point). Maybe I can even find a skid plate!

buickid

As promised, here are a few pictures of the exterior. Interior is in pieces right now. Carpet was filthy with roaches everywhere, but I think it'll clean up alright and is mostly intact. Truck is pretty well optioned. Looks like it has the Comfort Package (Cloth, Quartz clock, carpeting, remote fuel door, rear window wiper/washer/defroster), tilt steering/int wipers, power steering, and the front vent windows. No AC though, damn.
Anyway, on with the pictures!









Not bad, certainly got a bit of work to do, but its mostly all there!

dswag

Holy rear end lift haha no but it looks good man and seems like its a pretty solid start.

4x4YOTA

iTrader: (2)

front lift looks to be old Rancho upper arms and diff drop and rear looks like a combination of components

looks like a good starting platform

buickid

Haha thanks for the kind words guys. The lift right now is pretty ridiculous, especially for my purposes. Progress will be slow but constant, and I'll try to keep this updated. Gonna go check out those IFS parts on Sunday, hopefully I can come home with a handful of OEM goodness!

buickid

Alright, scored some parts! Got the whole front diff, stock diff mounts including the front crossmember/mount, stock UCAs, and a sway bar. Spent my Labor day cleaning the crud off the diff and mounts so I can paint them up nicely. Still need the CVs, the guy had some stock CVs that I might go back for later. They need boots (cut for easy removal for SAS) but he said they should be in good shape.

The only funky thing is the front diff, the passenger side output shaft (the short side) is wobbly. Is it supposed to wobble? It turns smoothly, but I don't think its suppose to have that much play in it. Gonna pop the cover off to have a look. According to the FSM, there isn't an actual bearing that holds the end of the shaft, its held up by the seal, and by means of being stuck in the diff.